Aleksandar Popovich (registered name Popovich), a member of Australia's U-23 national team, expected to face South Korea at the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar U-23 Asian Cup.
Popovich wished the best of his Gwangju FC teammates Um Ji-sung and Byun Jun-su, but expressed his determination to do his best if he faces South Korea.
Popovich's team, Gwangju FC, went to a 2-2 tie in the fifth round of the "2024 Hana Bank K League 1" against Incheon United at Gwangju Football Stadium on the 3rd, but lost 2-3 after dedicating the winning goal to Gersso at the end of the game.
Gwangju, which failed to win a point, fell to seventh place in the league, while Gwangju lost three consecutive games. It is Gwangju, which has lost three consecutive games for the first time since head coach Lee Jung-hyo took office.
After the match, he met Popovich in the mixed zone. Popovich started the match on the day and played full-time, taking responsibility for Gwangju's defense. As the game proceeded with Gwangju attacking Incheon's defense with the ball and Incheon counterattacks, Popovich was required not only to defend but also to have the ability to play the ball stably from the opponent team.
Popovich emerged from the locker room with a reminiscent face and stood in front of reporters. When asked if he cried when he saw his tears in his eyes, Popovich calmed down and began an interview, saying, "My heart ached so much that I cried before I knew it."
It was a bitter loss. Gwangju allowed the lead to 0-2, but successfully caught up with Incheon in the second half, and was able to bring about an atmosphere and even aim for a come-from-behind goal. However, luck didn't run out as Lee Hee-kyun's shot hit the side net or Gabriel's shot hit the post.
In addition, at the end of the game, Kim Kyung-min was sent off, and Ha Seung-woon wore a goalkeeper's glove. Gwangju gave up the winning goal when Ha Seung-woon's failed handling of the ball hit Gersso and went into the goal.
Popovich was sorry for his last run as the team's defender.
"It was a really tough game. We conceded two goals, but we managed to make it 2-2 really hard. We thought we could have won, but we conceded a goal in the last minute. As a defender, I am saddened that we conceded this goal."
It was also the first time in Popovich's career that he lost three consecutive games.
"I think it's my first time to lose three games in a row. Losing games in a row doesn't mean it's hard. Losing games is always difficult. Still, there are parts that I can learn from losing games, and I know how to win games, so I look at those things positively and think about the next game," Popovich said.
"It's hard to accept the result, but I still feel the team's mindset is good in that we followed up to 2-2. Not only me but all the team members felt that way. And the season is not over yet. I will work harder for the next stage," he said, adding that he will overcome the pain and focus on the next game.
Gwangju's locker room conversation time was quite long on this day. I asked Popovich what coach Lee Jung-hyo said after the game.
Popovich said, "The coach said, 'It's already past. We have to accept it because it's an irreversible and irreversible past.' He also stressed that recovery is what matters right now because the league is still in full swing and there is a game against Gimcheon Sangmu on the weekend. He also said that as he prepared for the next game, he told his team members to play with confidence."
There is a reason why Popovich feels even heavier. With his team having lost three consecutive games, Popovich will play against Gimcheon on Wednesday and join the Australian U-23 national team on Wednesday. He has to participate in the qualifying round for the 2024 Asian Football Confederation U-23 Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will take place in Qatar in the middle of this month.
Popovich said, "I am not thinking about the national team match right now. The most important thing is the match against Gimcheon on the weekend. I am thinking about (the national team) after I get good results in the match against Gimcheon. Right now, I am focusing 100 percent on the match against Gimcheon," adding, "I will focus on the match against Gimcheon."
At the same time, when the Olympics was mentioned, Popovich said, "I dreamed of participating in the Olympics since I was young. It was my dream stage as a soccer player, and I am also dreaming of participating in the World Cup. I use those things as motivation every morning. Of course, I would be happy if I get the chance to participate in the Olympics," expressing his hope to participate in the Olympics.
Australia is a potential tournament opponent for South Korea, although the tournament is still before it takes place. The top-ranked team in Group A, which includes Australia, will meet the second-ranked team in Group B, which includes South Korea, and the second-ranked team will meet the first-ranked team in Group B. Australia is a strong candidate to advance to the quarterfinals to compete with Qatar for first and second-ranked teams in Group A.
Even if they do not meet in the quarterfinals, Popovich can still face Korea in the final match or the third-place match, depending on the results of the matches and the two teams. He could face his Gwangju teammates Umji and Byun Jun-su as enemies.
Popovich knew about it. "As far as I know, I will definitely meet Korea in the tournament. I wish (Um) Ji-sung and (Byeon) Jun-su good luck, but if Australia matches Korea, I will make sure Australia wins. I think it will be a really fun game if we meet because I know Korean players will do their best," he said, looking forward to a showdown with Korea.
Popovich aims to join the Australian A team beyond the U-23 national team. In Australia, there are opinions that it would be good to have Popovich join the A team immediately. Popovich has outstanding performance and potential.
Coach Lee Jung-hyo also looked into the possibility of Popovich. Lee said he would investigate the possibility of Popovich's growth and help him grow. After realizing Lee's sincerity, Popovich is also growing under Lee.
Popovich said, "I've known about you for a long time. Through my agent, he said, 'You are a really promising player, and I can raise you. If you come to Korea, I will help you become the best player.' This comment gave me great motivation. I think I'm also growing in Korea." 토토사이트
Fortunately, Popovich quickly adapted to the team, as his former team Adelaide United and Gwangju have similar ways of managing the game. Popovich is currently at the core of Gwangju's defense and has established himself as a key center back in Gwangju, where he works with veteran defender Ahn Young-kyu on the defensive line.
Popovich said, "The style of my previous team was similar to that of Gwangju. I always tried to make a game with the ball. It is similar to Gwangju in that it maintains a high market share, and Coach Lee Jung-hyo pursues that style, so I am currently enjoying playing soccer in Gwangju," adding, "I am satisfied with playing in Gwangju."
